William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 6m 31.14s

Marble Sands⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Nick Slatter⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 147

4/1

Very useful chaser who was fit from the Flat and better than ever when landing 10-runner handicap at Cheltenham last month (27.3f). Unexposed at 3m+ and 5 lb rise looks fair enough.

Form: 13250-1

Knappers Hill³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145

4/1

Smart performer who landed Grade 2 novice chase at Wincanton on just second start over fences in November 2023. Missed 2 years after and understandably looked in need of the run at Haydock a month ago. This will reveal a lot more and he's in the right hands. Lot depends on whether he sees it out.

Form: 23121/4

Butch³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Todd| T: O Murphy| OR: 138| D

8/1

Useful hurdler who made a successful chase debut at Leicester (2½m, soft) last Christmas. Matched that form when third of 4 in Carlisle novice 7 weeks later. Had wind surgery prior to a vert low-key reappearance at Haydock last month (21.6f) but he's in the right hands to bounce back.

Form: 112/13-5

Konfusion²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Bewley| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 136| CD

8/11

Much improved sent chasing during second half of last season, scoring twice, and took another step forward when making all on return in 8-runner C&D contest. Unseated rider before the race began in earnest at Haydock and gained compensation in no uncertain terms at Newcastle. Progressive.

Form: 312-1U1

Non-Runners

Our Power³⁴

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: S Thomas J: Mr Harvey Barfoot-Saunt

Forecasts

Konfusion (8/11), Marble Sands (4/1), Knappers Hill (4/1), Our Power (7/1), Butch (8/1)

KONFUSION defends an unbeaten Wetherby record and is a handicapper firmly on the up judged by his emphatic Newcastle win from the front. He's up in class here but looks ready and able for the challenge. Marble Sands can boast an excellent strike rate and is expected to offer most resistance.